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Subject Topic: Moving to a MH advice Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonjamesA114
22/5/2019 at 9:58am
 Location: south staffordshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Amethyst + santa fe View jamesA114's Profile View Profile   Reply to jamesA114 Reply   Quote jamesA114 Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2009

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Hi All,
Not been on here for a few years after we sold our second caravan when the children grew up. It's been 4 years since with caravanned but we have a real urge to get back out and tour/weekend away around the UK and Europe. We are thinking of something like the Swift Escape 614 (but waiting for the MH Show in October to try out different layouts etc OH wants a separate shower rather than wet room).
When buying a MH, what additional equipment / service would I need that is essential:
Insurance
EHU
Level ramps

Thanks


PersonFiona W
22/5/2019 at 4:21pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

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Bizarrely, you have to pay extra with some makes to get a fresh water tank & gas. Make sure insulation is included if you need it - I've seen it as an extra called a winter pack. I wouldn't count EHU as an extra though. MH should come with (basic) plates & mugs, but not crockery. You'll have to get your own bedding & outdoor seating. You may or may not get a solar panel as standard - it's handy but I'm not sure it's essential. You're unlikely to get the TV included. Cab window screens are useful, not all makes include them as standard.
We found the general rule at shows is - the MHs that seem cheap end up less so when you add the extra things that the more expensive ones include as standard. But as you may not need bells & whistles, that might not be a problem.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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PersonLorfal
22/5/2019 at 4:53pm
 Location: Rannoch Scotland
 Outfit: autosleeper fairford View Lorfal's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lorfal Reply   Quote Lorfal Quote  
Joined: 01/8/2016

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Great choice of van. It was at one time on our short list and only came off it as we decided to have only one vehicle. Loved the washroom layout in it and the fabulous storage area. I’ve read somewhere else that when buying brand new, then the dealer should provide the EHU as standard.

Certainly when we had our first van, an older bessacarr, the dealer provided the EHU and a set of levelling ramps. Plates, cups etc are easy enough to buy and you get a set to your taste, but again....if brand new then you may find dealer will throw these things in.

It’s worth doing some chit chat with dealer to negotiate extras that are important to you. It helps choosing the right time to buy too. Towards autumn dealerships are looking to get ready for next season.

As an example , we got our van with a great discount as it was last available for that year and had been display model. It came with driver and winter packs already in place.

As Fiona W already mentions, it’s not likely to have TV, but it might be supplied with a TV bracket that is suitable to use on the vehicle.

Good luck


PersonjamesA114
22/5/2019 at 5:03pm
 Location: south staffordshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Amethyst + santa fe View jamesA114's Profile View Profile   Reply to jamesA114 Reply   Quote jamesA114 Quote  
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Thank you both, that's really helpful. Starting to put a list together. We bought both our last caravans in December to get the best deals


PersonBridlington
via mobile 22/5/2019 at 5:41pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Bridlington's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bridlington Reply   Quote Bridlington Quote  
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When we first swapped over from caravan to motorhome we used sleeping bag. But now we have changed to sheet and quilt and it is lot easier to use and very comfortable.
Our motorhome has a false wall that separates shower from toilet.
We bought levevellers, but hardly use them. Most sites are pretty level. But at least they are there if we need them.
We have tv bracket fitted to wall. Brill. Just take tv down and put on seat when travelling.


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PersonAUSTINS
22/5/2019 at 7:49pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View AUSTINS's Profile View Profile   Reply to AUSTINS Reply   Quote AUSTINS Quote  
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Kenilworth Motorhome show is coming up soon...21st to 23rd June. Its not that far from you. It is at the old agricultural show ground. It has a plus being in June as October does not seem so far away. Also you may see the van you fancy, and will be able to see others that will help you make your choice. The accessories on sale are very tempting.
Enjoy.

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Fish like a matchman <*))))><


PersonCapt Lightning
23/5/2019 at 7:52pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
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Of course, everyone's ideas of what is "essential" is different. I want an oven and a good radio, but not a TV or microwave. I've found that more often new vans come with things that I don't want, and it seems more difficult to get one with just the basics.

I'm delighted that my current van came without a load of add-ons, nevertheless I removed some unwanted bits. On previous vans I've had to remove TV aerials, brackets etc.. and do bits or re-wiring.

I'd much rather buy a van with the bare minimum fitted, and then customise it(or have if done by the dealer).

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


Personmotorhomeguy
via mobile 24/5/2019 at 8:32am
 Location: Solihull
 Outfit: Bavaria I740g View motorhomeguy's Profile View Profile   Reply to motorhomeguy Reply   Quote motorhomeguy Quote  
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If possible I would buy nearly new. Unfortunately a lot of people buy the wrong lay out for them brand new and seek to change van quickly having ticked all the options and accessories boxes on their original order. Fortunately this creates bargains.j
It is estimated that a new motorhome will lose it’s VAT value (20%) in its first year and a much lower percentage from then on.
We bought out last motorhome at 2 years old with only 4000 miles and every conceivable option inc Awning, gaslow, sat tv, immobiliser, alarm etc already installed. The accessories made it more saleable but added very little to the actual resale value. - The process of selecting the right van was quite long with a few trips to Lincoln, Newark plus a couple of shows and we missed out on a van by being indecisive but it all worked out in the end and we know have our dream van,



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It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.


PersonjamesA114
24/5/2019 at 8:51am
 Location: south staffordshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Amethyst + santa fe View jamesA114's Profile View Profile   Reply to jamesA114 Reply   Quote jamesA114 Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2009

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good advice Motorhomeguy and I too would prefer to buy a nearly new but the OH really wants to go new after 2 second hand caravans. It will all depend on cost but I am hoping that by next year when we will probably buy there will be nearly new 614 :)


Personfreeatlast
24/5/2019 at 8:37pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit:  Mitsubishi ASX4 View freeatlast's Profile View Profile   Reply to freeatlast Reply   Quote freeatlast Quote  
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Frankly after having so many dreadful British caravans, a British motorhome simply wasn't on the cards. We have just bought a Benimar 486, a near identical layout, and almost the same price, except everything Swift include in their comfort pack is included as standard (except it has a reversing camera rather than reversing sensors.) Our drop-down bed has no corner cut off. It also has a Ford 170bhp chassis (you can also get a Fiat chassis), which is superb to drive, and has a much better auto gearbox than the Fiat.

Frankly don't worry about all the extras, concentrate on the layout/make/chassis at this stage.



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